Audio Sequels: Greats from '08
By Raya Kuzyk -- Library Journal, 02/23/2009
Armstrong, Kelley. Broken (Women of the Otherworld). 10 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 12 hrs. Tantor Media. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4001-3741-1. $69.99; 10 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; digital download. FANTASY
Elena, the most popular character in New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Armstrong’s (www.kelleyarmstrong.com) “Women of the Otherworld” series, returns as the focus of this sixth series title (following Haunted). Here, she and Clay unwittingly open a dimensional portal that unleashes zombies, cholera, and, quite possibly, Jack the Ripper. Audie Award winner Laural Merlington, who also read Armstrong’s No Humans Involved, keeps Elena’s voice strong and uses accents with flair; the villains provide lots of fodder for her. But her range of voices is narrow, and male characters are not her forte (save for the key men, Clay and Jeremy, whom she solidly realizes). Recommended for followers of urban fantasy.—Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Salt Lake City, UT
Brown, Dale & Jim DeFelice. Dale Brown’s Dreamland: Revolution. 11 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 12 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4233-1308-9. $97.25; 11 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds. F
In the latest “Dreamland” series entry from New York Times best–selling author Brown and DeFelice (Cyclops One), Patrick McLanahan is back and as big as ever, taking out the bad guys (Romanians this time) and saving the world. Filled with all the technical stuff that keeps readers coming back, this military thriller has a bit more action on the ground than previous works in this series, which include Razor’s Edge and Nerve Center. Audie Award winner Christopher Lane’s voice is clear, and his delivery is strong, with a matter-of-fact though sufficiently expressive staccato. He gives each of the characters an individual voice and is able to render a credible Romanian accent to boot. Consider if you've been drawn to previous titles in this series. [Audio clip available through library.brillianceaudio.com.—Ed.]—Michael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll. Lib., Lynchburg
Cornwell, Patricia. Scarpetta. 12 CDs. unabridged. library ed. 15¼ hrs. Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4159-6032-5. $100; 12 CDs. retail ed. Penguin Audio; digital download. F
In no. 1 New York Times best-selling crime writer Cornwell’s 16th Kay Scarpetta title—following The Book of the Dead (2007)—Scarpetta is summoned to New York City to examine a patient in a psychiatric prison ward. The book’s first two-thirds focus more on the characters’ emotional angst than on the forensics for which Cornwell is so famous. Further, breaks are in odd places, there are no transitional cues, and series narrator Kate Reading’s performance only faintly differentiates among the various characters. Still, Cornwell's name alone recommends this for most public libraries. [Audio clip available through library.booksontape.com; the Putnam hc, published in December 2008, was a USA Today and New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—Donna Bachowski, Orlando P.L., Orange Cty. Lib. Syst., FL
*Cussler, Clive and Dirk Cussler. Arctic Drift. 11 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 13 hrs. Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4159-6255-8. $110; 11 CDs. retail ed. Penguin Audio; digital download. F
In this 20th entry in Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series, a venal Canadian billionaire brings about a potentially catastrophic shift in the Arctic ice field. The prose leans toward the purple (villains hiss, stomachs plummet, doors suddenly fly open), but Cussler has found in narrator Scott Brick (www.scottbrickpresents.com) the perfect audiobook match. Brick makes the melodrama palatable, giving each character a distinct personality without resorting to phony accents or unnatural vocalizations, and his warm, friendly voice brings Cussler, the consummate storyteller, into listeners’ living rooms. An essential acquisition. [Audio clip available through library.booksontape.com; the Putnam hc, published in December 2008, was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Lompoc, CA
*Hamilton, Laurell K. Swallowing Darkness. 10 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 11½ hrs. Books on Tape. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4159-5714-1. $100; 10 CDs. retail ed. Random House Audio; digital download. FANTASY
This seventh Meredith Gentry title—following A Lick of Frost (2007)—truly brings Hamilton’s (www.laurellkhamilton.org) urban fantasy series into its own. Australian actress Claudia Black adopts a regal tone that befits Meredith the princess, also adding a touch of softness reflecting “Merry” the woman. Black’s knack for expressing a complete range of emotions makes it easy to visualize the scenes, even when the stage is crowded. The entire series—of which this installment is thankfully not the last—is recommended for mature readers. [Audio clip available through library.booksontape.com; the Ballantine hc, published in November 2008, was a New York Times best seller.—Ed.]—Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Salt Lake City, UT
Johnstone, William, W. The First Mountain Man: Preacher’s Journey. 5 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 6 hrs. Graphic Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-59950-4933. $19.99; 1 MP3-CD. F
In USA Today best-selling author Johnstone’s (www.williamjohnstone.net) 11th “Mountain Man” title (following Preacher’s Justice), Preacher must escort a contingent of people westward to Oregon, but insurrection, marital betrayal, and, of course, warring natives prevent a smooth journey. The action and adventure is great, but the overall character progress is at turns lacking and heavy-handed. Graphic Audio’s full-cast, sound effects–laden production evokes nostalgia for old-time radio Westerns; the strong, solid voicing of Preacher further ups the ante. All told, the musical score and superior sound editing and narration make the entire production a delight to listen to, even if the content isn’t particularly inspiring. [Audio clip available through www.graphicaudio.net.—Ed.]—Lance Eaton, Somerville, MA
Kirkpatrick, Jane. A Mending at the Edge (Change and Cherish). 11 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 13¼ hrs. Christianaudio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-59644-571-0. $28.98; digital download. F
This third volume in Kirkpatrick’s (www.jkbooks.com) award-winning “Change and Cherish” series—following A Clearing in the Wild and A Tendering in the Storm—continues the fictionalized tale of German American pioneer Emma Wagner Giesy’s life with the Aurora Colony in Oregon, depicting her struggles with communal life and the control exercised over the colonists by its founder, Dr. William Kiel. Kirsten Potter’s (Proust and the Squid) Emma speaks English with a decidedly German American accent when talking to “outsiders,” which adds realism to the reading. Recommended for public and church libraries where patrons are partial to historical fiction. [Audio clip available through www.christianaudio.com.—Ed.]—Nancy Reed, Immanuel Baptist Church Lib., Paducah, KY
Knopf, Chris. Head Wounds. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 9 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4332-2862-9. $80; 1 MP3-CD. library ed.; digital download. F
Philadelphia native Knopf’s (www.sameddie.com) Sam Acquillo series distinguishes itself with articulate, catchy dialog, and this entry—following The Last Refuge and Two Time—is no exception. The hard-drinking carpenter, ex-boxer, and former corporate exec’s third murder mystery revolves around property development, environmental impact laws, and politics in New York’s close-knit, wealthy Hamptons. Richard Ferrone’s (The Good Guy) gravelly baritone is a perfect match for Sam’s personality, and though he defines the female characters just as well, series followers may miss Stefani Rudnicki’s voice. Highly recommended. Next in this series: Hard Stop. [Audio clip available through www.blackstoneaudio.com; the Permanent Pr. hc received a starred review, LJ 5/08; the paperback will be available in March.—Ed.]—Sandy Glover, Camas P.L., WA
Koontz, Trixie (As Told to Dean Koontz). Bliss to You: Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life. 1 CD. library ed. unabridged. 1 hr. Brilliance Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4233-7507-4. $39.25; 1 CD. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds. SELF-HELP/PETS
This charming, inspirational title, the third—following Life Is Good and Christmas Is Good—penned by Trixie, author Koontz’s canine “daughter,” reveals the eight steps humans must take to achieve bliss, from finding calm to showing gratitude. The task of voicing this sage but silly canine philosopher is a challenging one, but actress Teryn McKewin handles it with aplomb. As Koontz himself says in the introduction, Trixie’s page (www.deankoontz.com/trixie) is routinely the most popular of all the pages on his web site, thus ensuring demand for this audiobook in all public library collections. Royalties from the sale of this title benefit Canine Companions to Independence (www.cci.org/site). [The Hyperion hc, published in September 2008, debuted on the New York Times extended best sellers list.—Ed.]—Beth Farrell, Portage Cty. District Lib., Garrettsville, OH
McCaffrey, Todd. Dragonheart: Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern. 17 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 20 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4233-7327-8. $112.25; 17 CDs. retail ed.; 2 MP3-CDs. library/retail eds.; digital download. FANTASY
In New York Times best-selling author McCaffrey’s (www.toddmccaffrey.org) sequel to Dragsonsblood, yet another mysterious ailment has begun to kill off dragons. When Fiona, the only surviving daughter of Lord Bemin, assumes the duties of Weyrwoman, it seems that she has much to learn about Weyrlife and about growing up. World of Pern inconsistencies aside, this lengthy tome is short on plot and long on talk. Scanty segments of action break up the dialog, and the unengaging story centers on the minutiae of the dragon riders’ daily lives. While narrator Emily Durante’s (Calling Mr. Lonely Hearts) diction is clear and her voice pleasant, she barely distinguishes one character from the next and does little to liven up the book. Recommended for die-hard Pern fans and those wanting to complete their Pern collections. [Audio clip available through library.brillianceaudio.com.—Ed.]—Terry Ann Lawler, Palo Verde Lib., Phoenix
Moning, Karen Marie. The Dark Highlander. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 11 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4233-4155-0. $97.25; 9 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library/retail eds.; digital download. SF/FANTASY
This fifth volume in Moning’s popular “Highlander” time-travel series featuring 16th-century heroes and 21st-century heroines was initially released in print in 2002 and is available on audio for the first time. The focus of this installment is Daegus MacKelter, whose twin brother, Drustan, was the subject of Kiss of the Highlander. Phil Gigante is the voice of the Highlander series. His well-modulated baritone follows the ebb and flow of the author’s prose with an enchanting burr and a wicked sense of humor. Recommended for libraries with paranormal romance collections, those whose patrons enjoying speculative fiction, and those with copies of the connecting Kiss of the Highlander. [Audio clip available through library.brillianceaudio.com.—Ed.]—Gwendolyn E. Osborne, Evanston, IL
